Evaluation of Adherence to Prescribed Medications Among Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

Medication adherence is a significant difficulty in treating elderly patients, yet they are underrepresented in studies. The researchers conducted a systematic study targeting older patients to evaluate the factors contributing to non-adherence in this demographic. The research examined several electronic databases for research detailing the causes of medication non-adherence among individuals aged 75 and older. The findings were not confined to illnesses, medical settings, or geographical regions. The quality of qualifying studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Index. A narrative review of the results was conducted. Twenty-five publications were considered, all situated in community settings. Regular medication evaluations and understanding the rationale behind the medicine were favorably correlated with compliance. Factors linked to inadequate adherence included multimorbidity, cognitive decline, intricate regimens involving several prescribing doctors, and issues related to medication storage or composition. The results indicate that treatments to enhance adherence should concentrate on medication reviews designed to simplify regimes and educate patients on their medical care. Populations exhibiting insufficient compliance that might get the most out of such a paradigm include those with numerous illnesses and cognitive impairments.